Vincenzo Filming Locations in Seoul: A Local Guide

Discovering the Real Seoul Behind Vincenzo

When Song Joong-ki walked across the elevated roof bridge against the retro backdrop of Geumga Plaza, local Korean viewers immediately recognized Sewoon Plaza—a iconic 1960s structure in central Seoul. Beyond tailored Italian suits and dark legal comedy, the hit 2021 drama owes much of its atmosphere to carefully chosen Seoul landmarks. From historic electronics arcades in Jongno to industrial chic cafes in Seongsu-dong, visiting these real-world sites offers a memorable way to explore South Korea’s capital.

This practical Vincenzo drama locations guide walks you through the exact public places where the cast filmed. Whether you want to step onto the high decks where the plaza tenants gathered or order an iced Americano in Seongsu, here is how to navigate these locations efficiently while experiencing the surrounding neighborhoods like a local.

Sewoon Plaza (Geumga Plaza)

In the drama, Geumga Plaza serves as the ultimate stronghold. It houses Jipuragi Law Firm, serves as home to an eccentric group of tenants, and conceals a massive gold vault beneath its foundation. While interior studio sets held the actual apartment rooms, the towering exterior, rooftop decks, and high elevated pedestrian bridges belong to Sewoon Plaza.

Built in 1968 as South Korea’s first urban renewal megastructure, Sewoon Plaza originally served as an all-in-one residential and commercial hub. For decades, it was famous across Korea as the prime center for machinery, sound equipment, and electronics manufacturing. Recent city regeneration projects transformed its upper levels into modern creative workshops, exhibition rooms, and scenic public walkways that offer panoramic views over historic Jongno.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 1, 3, or 5 to Jongno 3-ga Station and use Exit 12. Walk straight south for approximately three minutes along Donhwamun-ro until you see the large concrete facade of Sewoon Plaza directly ahead. You can also access the complex from Line 2 or 5 via Euljiro 4-ga Station, Exit 4, walking north toward the Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Grandpa Factory Cafe (Café Haraboji Gongjang)

This venue hosts one of the drama’s most humorous early scenes. Vincenzo Cassano insists on drinking traditional hot espresso while Hong Cha-young sips a cold drink, proudly celebrating the popular Korean cultural phrase Ea-Juk-Ah—a shorthand slang meaning ‘freeze to death, but still drink iced Americano.’

In reality, Grandpa Factory Cafe is a spacious, multi-story cultural and dining complex situated in Seongsu-dong, an eastern neighborhood known for transforming industrial properties into creative hubs. Built inside a former textile dyeing factory, the cafe features soaring industrial ceilings, warm timber fixtures, an art gallery floor, and a famous timber treehouse built directly into a mature zelkova tree in the outdoor courtyard garden.

How to get there

Board Seoul Subway Line 2 to Seongsu Station and leave through Exit 3. Turn right down Seongsui-ro 7-gil and walk straight for roughly seven minutes. Turn left onto Seongsui-ro 7-ga-gil, and you will find the cafe’s large rustic brick facade on your right side. Please note that cafe menus and seating availability change seasonally, so check current operating hours online before visiting.

Grand Central Building (Babel Group Headquarters)

The gleaming exterior of the corrupt Babel Group headquarters appears constantly throughout the drama. It stands as the corporate domain where antagonizing executives host high-stakes press briefings and execute corporate plots.

The physical location is Grand Central, a contemporary prime commercial office tower completed in Hoehyeon-dong near central Seoul Station. Its sharp, metallic structural lines and soaring glass curtain wall make it a striking representative of Seoul’s modern financial architecture. Because this location is an active corporate office hub, indoor administrative areas remain off-limits to tourists. However, visitors can freely explore and photograph the exterior public plaza at ground level.

How to get there

Take Seoul Subway Line 4 to Hoehyeon Station and head toward Exit 1. Walk west along Toegye-ro for less than two minutes. The grand glass plaza of the building rises directly alongside the main boulevard leading toward Seoul Station.

Ilmin Museum of Art (Babel Group Courtroom Exterior)

This landmark exterior frames several pivotal legal showdown scenes in the drama. Vincenzo and Hong Cha-young arrive in dramatic style to challenge Babel Group’s legal team amidst crowds of reporters and protesting citizens.

The Ilmin Museum of Art occupies the historic former Dong-a Ilbo newspaper building, located right at the start of Sejong-daero beside Gwanghwamun Square. Completed in 1926, the building is recognized as an official city cultural asset due to its early 20th-century architectural craftsmanship. It operates as a public contemporary art museum hosting rotating international and Korean media exhibitions.

How to get there

Ride Seoul Subway Line 5 to Gwanghwamun Station and head out through Exit 5. The museum stands immediately next to the exit, right at the focal point where Gwanghwamun Square meets the head of the Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Make a Day of It

You can easily connect several key filming locations into a single, seamless day trip across Seoul’s historic and modern districts. Start your morning in the Jongno district before heading east to Seongsu-dong for lunch and afternoon coffee.

1. Morning in Jongno and Gwanghwamun: Begin at Gwanghwamun Station (Exit 5) to photograph the Ilmin Museum of Art. From there, take a scenic fifteen-minute walk east along Cheonggyecheon Stream directly to Sewoon Plaza.
2. Lunch near Sewoon Plaza: Directly east of Sewoon Plaza lies Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul’s oldest traditional markets. Stop here for traditional street eats like crispy mung bean pancakes (bindaetteok), hand-cut noodle soup (kalguksu), or mini seaweeds rolls (mayak gimbap). Alternatively, explore the nearby alleys of Euljiro, affectionately nicknamed ‘Hipjiro,’ for retro dining spots and traditional printed-press alleyways.
3. Afternoon in Seongsu-dong: Board Subway Line 2 from Euljiro 4-ga Station and travel straight to Seongsu Station. Spend your afternoon visiting Grandpa Factory Cafe, browsing the surrounding boutique concept stores, and exploring the Seongsu shoe factory alleyways.

Photo Tips

• Sewoon Plaza Elevated Deck: Head to the 3rd-floor outdoor pedestrian deck on the north face of Sewoon Plaza. Position yourself facing north toward Jongno-ro to capture the exact perspective where Vincenzo stood, framed by the retro metal signage and the historic urban cityscape behind you.
• Grandpa Factory Courtyard: For the best light, visit between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM when natural sunlight illuminates the zelkova treehouse in the central courtyard. Photograph the courtyard through the ground-floor floor-to-ceiling glass windows for a clean architectural frame.
• Grand Central Tower: Position yourself near the outdoor public water sculpture at the base of the plaza. Tilt your camera upward at a 45-degree angle during late afternoon golden hour to catch high-contrast light reflecting off the floor-to-ceiling glass paneling.

FAQ

Can you go inside the actual Jipuragi Law Firm office set?

No, the interior rooms of Jipuragi Law Firm, including the gold vault basement and office interiors, were set structures built inside private soundstages outside Seoul. However, the public walkways, stairwells, and roof decks of Sewoon Plaza are fully open to visitors.

Is Sewoon Plaza free to visit?

Yes, accessing the public outdoor decks, elevated skywalks, and rooftop platform at Sewoon Plaza is completely free. Be aware that opening access to the top rooftop garden deck may vary depending on local municipal maintenance and weather conditions.

Are these filming spots accessible for travelers with limited mobility?

Most exterior filming sites featured in this guide offer accessible features. Sewoon Plaza includes public elevators providing access to all elevated pedestrian walkways. Grand Central Building and the Ilmin Museum of Art feature flat outdoor plazas accessible via street-level sidewalks. Grandpa Factory Cafe features a wide ground-floor entrance, though its upper treehouse area requires climbing narrow wooden stairs.

Keep Reading

• Kdrama Location Etiquette: Visiting the Real Homes of Your Favorite Shows
• K-Drama Trip Planning: “Crash Landing on You” Locations
• Best Season for Drama Locations Korea: Goblin & Beyond